Tungsten shot and a 410

[cwlongshot]

Im gonna try some Tungsten loads in the 410.

I picked up a Stevens 310 Turkey, Was nkt really looking, but it wasnt a deal I could t walk away from. I see the "intended" fodder is about 6$ a shot!!!

So as a reloader, I knew I could beat that! So internet search showed Midway had 3# of 7.5 Tungsten shot for 100$ shipped. Works out to about a buck a shot.

Gotta find data, so if ya been here point me to some please!

CW

[rking22]

The people leading the charge with it, in 410 anyway, are pretty protective of their data. Also be aware there are multiple steps in density for TSS shot, higher density higher $$$$.
I will see if I can get some info from a good friend who has gotten into it. A note, the turkey hunters are using #9 at the highest density and getting full penetration at 60 yards!! MV is only around 1125 if I remember correctly.

[turtlezx]

.29C a pound at the store 1 shot would buy 1 turkey

[rking22]

Yeah, kinda rich for my blood, but. To keep things in perspective, a guy I work with was pleased as punch after a dove shoot. He shot 2 full boxes of 1 1/4 oz 6s and got 4 doves. I don’t want to think of that $/ lb

[cwlongshot]

Agreed!!

I dont expect to make this a 100% switch. BUT, as I always say a 410 to Me is a RIFLE that shoots shot well at close range. As much as I use the 410 It just might see 100% useage!!

I have 7.5's on order.

[Drakehammer]

I have 7.5's on order.

You're gonna wish you had bought 9s or 9.5s.

[megasupermagnum]

You're gonna wish you had bought 9s or 9.5s.

Not necessarily. There is a wide range of tungsten based shot. My guess is he bought original Hevishot brand shot, which is about 12 g/cc. It is pretty much the same density as lead shot. Unless you intend on shooting ducks and geese with a .410, you wasted your money on this shot. There is a wide variety, and latest and greatest is known as tungsten super shot, or TSS for short. That stuff is around 18 g/cc, and in that case, you would want #9 shot for most things. None of the load data can be interchanged. You will also need special wads to protect the barrel, all tungsten based shots are very hard.

[cwlongshot]

You're gonna wish you had bought 9s or 9.5s.

First off, No smaller size could be found. Second Its not legal here for many game animals including turkey...,

MSM it was labeled as TSS Tungsten shot.

CW

[megasupermagnum]

First off, No smaller size could be found. Second Its not legal here for many game animals including turkey...,

MSM it was labeled as TSS Tungsten shot.

CW

Perfect, that should be the 18 g/cc stuff. There's nothing wrong with #7.5 TSS, but that should have the penetration of #2 lead shot. A great choice for long shots at geese, and may even prove a benefit on turkey by passing through the breasts. #9 TSS is often recomended, as that is closer to a lead #4, but with way more pellets. About 68 pellets for 1/2 oz of lead #4, about 173 pellets for #7.5 TSS, and about 290 pellets for 13/16 ounces of #9 TSS.

[Geezer in NH]

11/16 of an ounce is 11/16 of an ounce.

[megasupermagnum]

11/16 of an ounce is 11/16 of an ounce.

No, it is not. Using 11/16 oz lead shot data, but substituting TSS would not end well.

[bullet225ho]

If you bought this shot.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1017152350

It appears that this is Hevi-Shot brand shot. This shot has a density of 12gcc which is just about the same as lead. Keep in mind that this is density and not hardness. It's probably as hard or harder than steel.....so your loads will be limited to a TPS wad from BPI. Otherwise you take a chance of scarring up the inside of your barrel or reaming out your choke tube.

Once you find a load that suits your taste I'd say you'll be limited to around 1300-1350fps


With the tps wad you'll probably max out at 5/8oz and may even be closer to 9/16 in a 3" hull as that's all that will probably fit. Let's assume you get 5/8oz in the hull with an appropriate load of H110 or 296 and can get this load running at 1300fps muzzle.

5/8oz hevi-shot 7.5 gives you 200 pellets in the round. These pellets will give you 1.50" of gel penetration out to 36.2yds.

Similarly. you could load a lead load.

3/4oz lead shot in #6 shot size. Running at 1200fps. you have 165 pellets and those give you a 1.5" gel penetration out to 41.6yds.

There is some shot difference in the two loads....but this is assuming you can get 5/8oz of hevi shot in a TPS wad (I'm saying closer to 9/16 which would be 155 pellets) If 9/16oz is the max then you're better of to go with lead unless you have a No-Tox zone your trying to comply with or hunt waterfowl.

If waterfowl or no-tox zone is the reason for your loading you may want to look into actual TSS which is 18gcc density.

as an example.

13/16oz load of #9 TSS (18gcc) has 290 pellets and running at a tested velocity of 1075fps gets you 1.50" of gel penetration out to 57yds.

If your in a state that states you can't use shot less than 7.5 your only other option would be possibly HW-15 shot. This is available readily in #7 size and is 15gcc in density. You can get 178 pellets in a 13/16oz load with tps wad and run it around 1200fps ...this will get you 1.5" of gel penetration out to 64yds.

Ballistic Products carries all these types/density of shot.

https://www.ballisticproducts.com/Shot/departments/63/

There are several other places to get the different shot from. Heck I've scavenged shot from 10ga turkey shells that where on clearance just for the shot. It was cheaper than buying shot.

[cwlongshot]

Great info thank you!!♥️

cw

This is the product I bought.

http://tdmfginc.com/tungsten-super-shot-hunting-pellets

[cwlongshot]

Frustration RANT:

BPI web site is quite frustrating...

They continue to refuse my order. So Ill be buying from other retailers. There loss.

CW

[megasupermagnum]

Frustration RANT:

BPI web site is quite frustrating...

They continue to refuse my order. So Ill be buying from other retailers. There loss.

CW

I've been buying from BPI since I began reloading. The only two problems I have with them are their overpriced shipping (I'm only 30 miles away), and their poor load data trying to push poor quality components on us. What problems have you been having with the website?

Unfortunately I think you are kind of stuck with 410. the TPS wad from BPI is the only wad I am aware of that is safe for steel or tungsten shot. You can't use a lead shot wad for this.

[Geezer in NH]

No, it is not. Using 11/16 oz lead shot data, but substituting TSS would not end well.

Explain please.????

TSS needs a multi metal wad that' s it far as I can see.

11/16 oz of lead, bismuth TSS is 11/16 oz Unless you are not in this physical world.

Personally I do not shoot stuff that costs so much. .410 is not legal in my state or ones near me for turkey anyway.

[megasupermagnum]

Explain please.????

TSS needs a multi metal wad that' s it far as I can see.

11/16 oz of lead, bismuth TSS is 11/16 oz Unless you are not in this physical world.

Personally I do not shoot stuff that costs so much. .410 is not legal in my state or ones near me for turkey anyway.

The two big factors will be volume, and compressibility. TSS will take up significantly less volume than lead shot. Lead shot will also compress significantly more than TSS. You can't mix shot types for load data. Don't take my word for it. Check any loading manual.

[cwlongshot]

What about mylar wraps in a reg wad?

No tss wads around.

CW

[megasupermagnum]

What about mylar wraps in a reg wad?

No tss wads around.

CW

I wouldn't chance it. Plenty of people recommend a mylar wrap in a TPS wad for extra protection. I've not seen anyone try one out in a lead shot wad. As far as I can tell, the TPS wad is the one and only option there is for a .410.

[Hamish]

When the .410 started making a comeback several years ago I couldn’t understand why, other than the increasing market of old farts who could now blow their money on guns they couldn’t afford when they were younger.

And then I started seeing the pb alternative load testing videos on youtube. Literally fist sized groups at 50y with 9’s that hit like 5’s, 7.5’s like 4’s. I had paid no attention to alternative shot having had to move to steel shot, I figured it was all high dollar garbage.

It’s not. It’s expensive, but it’s also close to 60% heavier than lead.